October 1, 2025
Emergency responders including Moab UMTRA staff, gathered at the Lions Park parking lot in Moab, Utah.
DOE-EM Moab Performs Emergency Exercise With Local Agencies
Moab, Utah ― The Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project, part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM), joined forces with local county and state agencies to conduct an annual multi-agency emergency response exercise designed to evaluate coordination, communication, and readiness in the face of a simulated disaster.
The emergency scenario centered on a simulated gas leak at the Moab UMTRA Project’s Moab site, with a third-party delivery truck running over a natural gas pipeline valve, creating a significant leak without ignition. The incident required an immediate ‘Stop Work’ order and simulated site evacuation.
While the leak was contained within the exercise parameters, officials emphasized that a real event of this nature could expand rapidly and affect the surrounding community, which includes the city of Moab three miles to the south, and the main entrance to Arches National Park two miles to the north. In addition, the Moab area sits in a valley with canyon walls of sandstone cliffs, so gases from a gas line leak would potentially sit in the valley, raising the possibility of an ignition in the air.
To reflect the seriousness of such a situation, multiple agencies participated in the response including the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Moab Police Department, Grand County Emergency Medical Services, Moab Valley Fire Department, and Grand County Emergency Management. In addition, the gas company whose pipeline was fictionally damaged in the exercise – Williams - was directly involved, providing expertise and support. Together, these organizations worked under tight timeframes to coordinate evacuation, secure the site, manage public safety, and ensure effective communication across jurisdictions.
The exercise tested emergency communication systems and incident command protocols under pressure. Responders demonstrated strong capabilities in rapid deployment, medical triage, and resource sharing. At the same time, the drill highlighted areas for improvement including traffic management and long-term shelter operations, which will inform future training efforts.
The success of this exercise reflects the ongoing commitment to preparedness and resilience. The Moab Project plans to conduct another drill next year, building on lessons learned and further strengthening the region’s ability to respond to emergencies.
Leadership emphasized the importance of these exercises, noting that they are critical to ensuring that DOE is prepared for any emergency.
Tim Mason, Environmental, Safety, Health & Quality Manager for the project’s Remedial Action Contractor said, “This exercise demonstrated the value of a coordinated, multi-agency response and the effectiveness of an off-site unified command center. It was gratifying to see each organization perform so well, and the strong participation from local, county, and state agencies made the exercise a success.”
Moab UMTRA Project staff discuss evacuation logistics with local emergency responders.
Contributor: Barbara Michel
– DOE –